Hotel Ve Mlejně

The seating is lovely and the duck was good, but the service was terrible. With the restaurant empty and around 15 people in the garden, we waited 15 minutes just for staff to notice us. Drinks and a menu took another ten minutes, then there was still more waiting for the food.

The waitress was genuinely pleasant. I’d give her five stars on her own, but that wouldn’t reflect the restaurant. The food was average and I left with a bad impression, even though the place is attractive and has a beautiful river view. Sitting by the water might be nice in summer. The kitchen door opened onto the square, and the smell spread through the whole restaurant. If you’re heading somewhere afterward and don’t want to smell of food, don’t come here. I had to put everything in the wash when I got home. The food seemed like it belonged in a category under 50 crowns, and even a cafeteria might take offense at that comparison. My meat skewer was plainly raw inside and covered in a semi-finished tomato sauce. They didn’t charge me for it, and the waitress kindly apologized and offered a coffee on the house. I didn’t order anything else. After seeing the other dishes, I felt this was as much as the chef could manage. We paid and left, then wanted to look at the hotel. An older man in overalls came out of the restaurant and called to ask if we needed anything. We said no, that we were just looking at how beautifully the hotel was being built. He called after me that he had finished the skewer after I left, that it wasn’t raw at all, and that I was probably used to some kind of sole. I don’t know who he was, but if he was the owner, that probably says it all. Judge for yourself. I’d only seen positive reactions here before choosing the place, so I’m going to start writing reviews based on my own experience.

Our wedding here was two days ago, and I have to praise the owner and her staff. The kitchen was perfect, every guest was looked after, and the hotel gave us excellent help with the preparations. They handled everything so well, and were open to every idea. If you’re planning a wedding in a beautiful setting, this is the place. Already married? Come for a weekend or take a boat trip down the Sázava. They’ll be glad to see you, unless it’s Monday or Tuesday, when they’re closed :)

The river’s gentle sound after a day working in the city was incredibly relaxing, and the location is amazing. The food was excellent and the staff were just as pleasant. They served us in the garden even though the notice says it isn’t staffed, and the children got little gifts.